Help us build a mental health tool for everyone.

Be There
Our Challenge

Mental health and illness have become popular topics. People are being encouraged to speak up and ask for help. But friends, family and peers don't yet know how to be there when they do reach out. We need to educate ourselves.

Be There
Our Solution

Enter Be There. An engaging web-based resource that illuminates how we can be there for our loved ones when they struggle with their mental health.

If a friend reaches out to you and wants to chat about their mental health and you aren't sure what to say: jack.org/BeThere.

If your family member is receiving treatment or on a waitlist and you want to support them: jack.org/BeThere.

Not sure what to say if you think a friend, colleague or peer may be suicidal? jack.org/BeThere.

Be There
Our Ask

One way or another, we are building Be There. But to make an impact, we need to ensure people know about it. Our goal is to raise $100,000. It will mean improved education, empathy, and understanding of mental health on a revolutionary scale. This holiday season, we're asking for your generosity and support for our Be There crowdfunding campaign to ensure every young person in Canada knows Be There exists and where to find it.

With $100,000, we'll be able to reach 500,000 people with Be There.
That means 500,000 people in Canada will be able to better support their friends, family and peers. That means 500,000 people will have a support system around them while they wait for care. That means 500,000 people will be able to have safe and effective conversations about mental health. That means a better, warmer Canada.

Be There
What's New

Milestone #1

We reached our crowdfunding goal of $100,000! Thank you to the community of supports who have ensured that at least half a million young people in Canada know about, and use, Be There.

Milestone #2

We sent out the first of several national surveys to Canada’s youth and received 1,300 responses.

83% said they’d been in a situation where they supported someone who was struggling with their mental health. But only HALF of those felt prepared to offer support.

54% of respondents feared that their uncertainty about how to offer support to a friend would actually make their mental health struggles worse.

Respondents described poor support as unsolicited advice, not being believed, and no respect for personal space. They described positive support as active listening and asking broad follow-up questions.

We already know that it's time to build Be There. Our survey helped confirm this, while also exposing the knowledge gaps that are holding people back from being there for each other. The need is strong, and the demand is high. We’re ready to move forward.